Battle of the World Cup themes

Forget the state of Beckham's foot - the most pressing World Cup question is who will win the battle of the theme tunes, the BBC or ITV?

Playing in ITV's colours is the music industry's latest attempt to combine classical music and cleavage, The OperaBabes.

But in a radical transfer from its usual classical-based World Cup theme, the BBC has signed up Faithless, one of the country's biggest-selling dance music groups.

ITV bosses are hoping that The OperaBabes' Japanese and Korean-themed version of Puccini's aria Un Bel Di, from Madame Butterfly will last longest in the minds of England's armchair army of fans.

The classical singers are following the tactical route ploughed by Luciano Pavarotti with his rendition of Nessun Dorma for the BBC during Italia '90.

The BBC, however, believes its secret weapon is techno. The Faithless tune Tarantula, from their most recent album Outrospective, has been given a special remix by Rollo - the reclusive technical mastermind who has produced most of the collective's memorable tunes. Rollo is the brother of another huge British act - singer Dido.

Phil Bigwood, series producer for Match of The Day, told the Standard: "Rollo has done a great remix, and the theme reflects the hi-tech, fast-paced atmosphere of Korea and Japan. In the past the BBC has been criticised for being too traditional, so we've gone for a bit of a departure."

It certainly is a new move for the BBC, which last time around, for France '98, used a piece by French composer Pavane, and rounded off the tournament with presenter Des Lynam reciting the Rudyard Kipling poem If. ITV, by contrast, opted for the synthesiser pop of Jean-Michel Jarre.

However, both of this summer's acts claim prior football credentials - which may point the way to the tournament's winner. For while Rollo follows table-topping Arsenal, the OperaBabes support relative minnows.

Mezzo-soprano Karen England, 32, follows Derby County, while soprano Rebecca Knight, also 32, supports Ipswich Town. Despite bearing these crosses, the Opera-Babes are determined to be the most ear-catching team.

Ms England said their Puccini theme tune "is a classy number, gorgeous opera with an oriental twist. If we were a World Cup side, we'd be Italy or France - a bit exotic and great to watch."

They may never have released an album, but the girls - discovered busking in Covent Garden - know how to please a football crowd: they sung Abide With Me at last year's FA Cup final.

Rollo is a committed supporter of the Gunners. Worryingly for England, he tips the club's French striker Thierry Henry, along with Arsenal legend Liam Brady, as "the best players I have ever seen". Henry will lead the attack this summer for current world champions France.

Certainly Mr Bigwood seems confident that Rollo and Faithless's song - along with the programme itself - will emerge as World Cup TV winners.

He said: "I know of the Opera Babes, as they sung at the Cup Final. But with the package the BBC is taking to the World Cup, I don't think we need to worry about the opposition."

If Faithless's BBC tune does prove a hit with the fans, a longer version may be released as a single. But negotiations between the BBC and Faithless's label BMG are still ongoing.

Should it happen, the single may feature classic moments of BBC football commentary - including commentator John Motson's accompaniment to England's 5-1 thrashing of Germany in the World Cup qualifiers.

"If it were to happen," said Mr Bigwood, "Motty might even end up a big name in the nightclubs."

This is London sport